WIF Members Screen at Seattle International Film Festival 2018

For over a decade Women in Film has sponsored films at SIFF as a Community Partner. Here are some local films screening at SIFF that WIF members had a hand in.

Check here for more information as we get closer to the festival, and support your local filmmakers!

The Most Dangerous Year
Director: Vlada Knowlton
Director of Photography: Lulu Gargiulo
In 2016 a group of Washington State families with transgender kids join the fight against the wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation sweeping through the nation and into their home state. With the help of a coalition of state lawmakers and civil rights activists, these families embark on an uncharted journey of fighting to protect and preserve their children's human rights and civil liberties in this present-day civil rights movement. 
Tuesday, May 29, 6:30 PM SIFF Cinema Egyptian
Saturday, June 2, 1:00 PM Shoreline Community College

Sadie
Director, Writer: Megan Griffiths
13-year-old Sadie (Sophia Mitri Schloss) lives with her mother (Melanie Lynskey) while her father, who she is extremely attached to, serves repeated tours in the military. When her mother starts dating a new man (John Gallagher Jr.), Sadie refuses to accept the divide between her parents and takes measures to end the relationship. Sadie’s interest in war, violence, and guns spawns the idea of using warfare to safeguard her family. 
Sunday, May 27, 2:30 PM SIFF Cinema Egyptian
Wednesday, June 6, 6:45 PM SIFF Cinema Egyptian

Legends of the PNW Screening
From dancing to deviltry, this diverse array of local shorts puts the breadth of our local talented filmmaking community on full display.
Sunday, May 28, 12:00 PM, SIFF Cinema Uptown

Women in Film Seattle Members with short films at SIFF 2018:

• I See Through You, Director, Lael Rogers, Screening in Legends of the PNW
  I See Through You takes place in a universe where women wear synthetic masks that never age. The film follows two people at different stages of their relationship. As their romance sparks in the past, their relationship deteriorates in the present, as the man grows weary of her artificial face.
• Always, Director Angela DiMarco, Screening in Legends of the PNW
  A couple who have just lost their child must readapt in their relationship and within themselves.
• Geoduck, Director, Tracy Rector, Screening in Through Her Indigenous Eyes
  An indigenous fisherwoman reveals the exceptional challenges of harvesting geoduck.
• Mehndi, Director Sudeshna Sen, Screening in Legends of the PNW
  Secrets shared at an Indian bridal shower forever change two young women.
• Shell No, Director, Tracy Rector, Screening yet to be announced
  The protests against oil production from Standing Rock to Seattle's oil rig are invigorated by the music of Khu.éex'.
  
  
  Do you have a film that you worked on for SIFF 2018? Contact wif@womeninfilmseattle.org and let us know! We'll give you a shoutout! 

No Harassament

Sexual Harassment is defined as creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.  

Women in Film and our community have a Zero Tolerance policy on Sexual Harassment. If you or someone you know has experienced harassment in the workplace, speak up please. As a community we can build better and safer work environments for us all through education and resources, and by taking a stand.

It's the 21st century. We hoped sexual harassment would be over or on its way out by now. Unfortunately, it's alive and well.

Any working woman in the early 20th century dealt with unwanted sexual advances and worse. Most simply were told to quit their jobs to deal with lecherous bosses. The moving pictures industry grew up in this era and was, and is, clearly no different from any other.

This deplorable state of affairs for working women continued into the 1970's. The women's liberation movement brought the problem to the forefront and women shared their experiences. They banded together as they had done in the past. Women sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The Supreme Court upheld these cases in the 1980's.

The current laws haven't stopped the problem though.

Harassment comes in many forms including repeated unwanted sexual or romantic advances, off color jokes or stories, displaying pornographic material, indecent exposure, or teasing related to gender.

It's important to document in detail each incident and include witnesses. Report it immediately to your employer or person in charge. Other options include contacting an attorney or filing a complaint with the Washington Human Rights Commission or contacting your industry organizations for guidance on how to proceed.

Sexual harassment is illegal, and you don't have to put up with it.

Here is where you can start by accessing tools and information:

DEFINITION

Washington State Legislature WAC 392-190-056
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=392-190-056

CIVIL RIGHTS AND LEGAL RECOURSE – SEATTLE

If someone is being sexually harassed on set or in their workplace, there are several City resources that are designed to help. The Seattle Office of Civil Rights is a tremendous resource with skilled staff who are adept at working with sexual harassment allegations. If one wants to work with the Seattle Office of Civil Rights to file a complaint or start an investigation, here’s where to start: 
https://www.seattle.gov/civilrights/ 
Here’s where one can open a complaint: 
https://www.seattle.gov/civilrights/file-complaint

Sometimes, depending on the situation at hand, the Office of Labor Standards could be a better option: 
https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards 
Here’s where one can open a complaint:
https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/contact#workers

SUPPORT

WCSAP* – Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Program
http://www.wcsap.org/find-help

There are 38 Community Sexual Assault Programs (CSAPs) that are accredited by the Washington Office of Crime Victims Advocacy in Washington State within this coalition. Trained advocates may provide the following services:

• Free, confidential 24/7 hotline
• information about sexual assault
• referral to other community service providers
• crisis intervention and on-going support
• medical and legal advocacy, community awareness, outreach and prevention activities,
• All accredited programs must meet standardized criteria for their services. Some programs also provide specialized services in the form of support groups, therapy, or medical social work.

RAINN* 
https://www.rainn.org 
National Sexual Assault Hotline. Phone: 1 800 656 HOPE (4673)

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center* 
http://www.kcsarc.org/gethelp

Washington SAFE Alliance 
http://www.wasafealliance.org/contact/

Gender Justice League 
http://www.genderjusticeleague.org

INDUSTRY POSITION STATEMENTS

IATSE Statement Against Sexual Harassment in the Entertainment Industry

Sisters and Brothers —
As you may recall, on October 20, 2017, following allegations of sexual harassment and assault involving a growing list of global media companies, celebrities, and other prominent media figures, the International Alliance issued a strongly worded statement condemning sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. In addition, the IATSE recently reissued its anti-harassment policy, and Delegates to the IATSE’s 68th Quadrennial Convention in July unanimously passed a resolution rebuking harassment and bullying in the workplace. The Statement and Resolution are available here.

The importance of this topic compels me to address this issue with you directly. 
We have all heard the recent stories of alleged misconduct committed against workers by powerful people. Such conduct is reprehensible, and must not be tolerated. Because of the unfair balance of power between rank-and-file workers and authority figures in the entertainment industry, workers often remain silent in the face of such behavior, fearing that, if they were to speak out, they would be subject to repercussions, reprisals, or other pressures. However, we are hopeful that the deluge of recent media reports will embolden workers to speak out about, and fight back against, this horrible conduct. We hear you, and I want you to know that the IATSE is here to help, in whatever way it can.

Over the past few weeks we have seen an increase in reports of inappropriate workplace conduct to the IATSE Safety Hotline and to our International Representatives. In addition, media reports detailing alleged sexual harassment have often quoted individuals working under IATSE collective bargaining agreements. In response, the International and its affiliated local unions are reminding employers that employers are responsible for providing a safe, respectful work environment, free from any discrimination, including sexual harassment.

We will continue to remind employers of their responsibilities in this regard, because we know that all workers suffer when their workplace is unsafe. The worker who experiences the harassment is humiliated. And the workers who must witness the harassment are demeaned.

I encourage all members of the IATSE to again review the IATSE’s October 20, 2017 statement condemning sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. I also encourage all members to widely publicize the IATSE Safety Hotline (844 IA AWARE / 844-422-9273). You may immediately contact the Safety Hotline, or your local union, concerning workplace hazards and threats. 
Please also remember that workplace harassment and unwanted conduct is a sensitive, difficult, and deeply personal topic. I ask that you acknowledge, as I do, the difficulties faced by fellow workers when they disclose this unacceptable treatment.

Workplace discrimination, including sexual harassment, is insidious and we must all do our part to eradicate this scourge on our industry. The IATSE and its affiliated local unions are here to support you. Together, we can work toward a brighter future, where no worker is subjected to this deplorable conduct.

In solidarity,
Matthew D. Loeb
International President, IATSE

EDUCATION, INFORMATION, AND THE LAW

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Seattle Branch

https://www.eeoc.gov/field/seattle/

http://courses.cs.vt.edu/cs3604/lib/Discrimination/harass.html

https://qz.com/361740/the-casual-workplace-is-making-sexual-harassment-harder-to-identify-and-stop/

https://www.bizfilings.com/toolkit/research-topics/office-hr/identifying-and-preventing-harassment-in-your-workplace

http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Sexual-Harassment

http://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/legal-resources/know-your-rights-at-work/workplace-sexual-harassment/

http://seattle-wa.aauw.net/

INFORMATIONAL ARTICLES

FindLaw: Sexual Harassment: Actions You Can Take
http://employment.findlaw.com/employment-discrimination/sexual-harassment-actions-you-can-take.html

The Hill: 6 Steps to Take If You're Sexually Harassed at Work
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/civil-rights/290740-6-steps-to-take-if-youre-sexually-harassed-at-work

Bustle: 11 Steps to Take If You’ve Been Sexually Harassed at Work
https://www.bustle.com/p/11-steps-to-take-if-youve-been-sexually-harassed-at-work-52562

Direct response -vs- reporting
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/11/02/dont-report-sexual-harassment-in-most-cases/

Indiewire: hollywood sexism
http://www.indiewire.com/2017/07/hollywood-sexism-stories-jessica-chastain-emma-stone-elisabeth-moss-1201853798/

Forbes: the good men project
Sexual Jokes and Lewd Conversations In the Workplace: Where's The Line? 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/goodmenproject/

SELF DEFENSE CLASSES

http://www.evolvseattle.com/ 
Free self-defense class, Sunday's at Evolv Fitness.

The Women in Film Seattle 2018 Professional Grant cycle has begun!

The grant recipient will be announced The Second Tuesday, February 13, 2018, and will receive $1000 to support her project. Application and details for WIF Professional Members can be found here: http://womeninfilmseattle.org/grants

Here’s a shout out to our last three incredible WIF Grant recipients:

2017 - Maryna Ajaja is in pre-production of her short, TOO MUCH HISTORY, a narrative film with Russian flavor. A mother and son breach the gateway to the Stalin era gulags, not knowing where their personal journey will take them.

2016 - Vlada Knowlton’s THE MOST DANGEROUS YEAR is a timely documentary about what it means to be born transgender. The film is in post-production. A rough cut screened for the Washington Educators Association and received a standing ovation. Fundraising is ongoing; donations are tax deductible: https://www.themostdangerousyear.com

2015 - Rosalie Miller and Jo Ardinger are in post-production of their documentary PERSONHOOD, examining a widely unknown system of laws that treats pregnant women as an underclass, stripping pregnant women of nearly every constitutional right. Fundraising is ongoing and donations are tax deductible. http://personhoodmovie.com

Women in Film Seattle is so proud to sponsor these women and their work.

The idea for The Most Dangerous Year documentary emerged from a parents’ support group meeting and 2015 Anti-Transgender legislation. The film shows us the ugliness of ignorance and the result of a population being in the dark about transgender people. Our 2016 WIF Seattle grant award winner Vlada Knowlton shines a light on transgender kids.

Not so long ago, our society treated even left-handed people as abnormal and gay people as having a mental illness. We have become more enlightened as we mature as a society and this film seeks to continue to educate society and contradict myths surrounding what it means to be born transgender.

Shot mostly in 2016 and now in post-production, a rough cut was screened for the Washington Educators Association early this year. It received a standing ovation.

Fundraising is ongoing with an expected release date sometime in 2017. 

www.themostdangerousyear.com/donate/
www.themostdangerousyear.com
www.imdb.com/title/tt5532368

Check here for more information about the Women in Film Seattle Professional Grant http://womeninfilmseattle.org/grants